EASA has granted Safran Helicopter Engines’ Ardiden 3G a type certification, Safran said at the Paris Air Show. The engine powers the Russian Helicopters Ka-62, which made its first flight May 25.

“This is a very significant event for the Ka-62, and it is the result of intensive work of the Safran Helicopter Engines Team,” said Andrey Boginsky, Russian Helicopters CEO. “EASA certification gives us an opportunity to accelerate the certification of Ka-62 according to international standards and to bring it to the foreign market. Concerning the Russian market, we suppose that in the near future Safran's engine will be also approved in accordance with the requirements of Federal Air Transport Agency.”

Since its first ground test, Safran said the Ardiden 3 has accumulated more than 8,500 hours of testing. Debuted in 2010, the engine is the only new-generation 1,700- to 2,000-shaft horsepower engine range designed for the 6- to 9-ton helicopter, Safran said.

“This first certification is a major milestone in the Ardiden 3 program. The engine is also performing extremely well and represents a major step for the Ka-62 flight test program,” said Bruno Even, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO. “We are fully committed to support Russian Helicopters as it approaches entry into service.”

Ardiden 3 engines have a time between overhaul of 5,000 hours at entry-into-service. Safran said they also deliver a minimum of 10% better fuel consumption over engines operating in the same power range.